Transatlantic Frontrunners

As part of the Transatlantic Program from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Bauhaus Earth has initiated a two-year project to promote knowledge building and exchange between Germany and US cities in the field of the regenerative built environment.

We are currently looking for students and young professionals to participate in an online workshop on December 9, 2025. More information can be found here.

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Linking environmental protection and social justice

The project supports small- to mid-sized cities in understanding how they can reduce CO2 emissions from buildings over their entire life cycle, especially focusing on embodied carbon. All of the partner cities in Germany – Wuppertal, Bottrop, and Dortmund – and the US – Poughkeepsie, Burlington, and New Haven – have experienced the effects of structural change and deindustrialization to varying degrees and in different ways. In this context, the exchange examines diverse strategies for decarbonization and the co-benefits that these bring for cities, such as regional development and job growth. At the same time, innovative solutions and ideas for affordable housing are to be initiated.

By targeting both municipal leaders and young professionals, the project fosters both transatlantic and intergenerational exchange of knowledge. It promotes regenerative and just urban development by addressing ecological and social aspects together across generations.

Over two years, we are offering municipal and NGO leaders from the partner cities in Germany and the US the opportunity to share best practices and innovative approaches. This is done through two field trips and several online workshops, some open to the public.

Priority topics for the exchange include:

• The decarbonization of building materials, both renovation of existing and new carbon-friendly construction of buildings and infrastructure;
• Bioregional planning, regional land use strategies for forestry and building value chains for biomaterials;
• Just transitions in the built environment – affordable housing, innovative housing cooperatives, social dialogue and participation, new employment opportunities and reduction of socio-spatial inequalities.

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The project is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

The project is further supported by prominent advisors:
Klaus Mindrup, former Member of the German Bundestag and District Councillor in the Berlin district of Pankow.
Max Grünig, Senior Policy Advisor at E3G in Washington DC, co-founder of POCACITO ( Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow)‍